Felix Da Costa Quickest On Opening Day In Jerez

Antonio Felix da Costa set the fastest time on the first day of the latest GP3 Series tests at Jerez.

Several drivers were having their first taste of GP3 machinery alongside more regular names at the Spanish circuit, hosting the second post-season test for the category after the one at Estoril in Portugal last week. Formula Renault driver Arthur Pic lined up for Status GP, while Carlin ran three rookies with European F3 Open drivers Callum MacLeod and Juan Carlos Sistos being joined by Italian F3 driver Kevin Giovesi. Formula BMW drivers George Katsinis and Facu Regalia joined RSC Mucke Motorsport and Addax Team respectively, while Formula Renault 3.5 driver Albert Costa joined Tech 1 Racing. Eddie Cheever, son of the former F1 driver of the same name, joined up with Jenzer Motorsport, who run him in the Italian Formula Abarth series.

Felix da Costa, who had switched to MW Arden for this test after running for both Carlin and Addax at Estoril, topped the timesheets early in the morning session, where he remained for the rest of the morning. Alexander Sims made his return to GP3 after testing back in March, and went second quickest for ART Grand Prix. GP3 frontrunner Nico Muller was third quickest for Jenzer.

After lunch it was Indonesian series regular Rio Haryanto who was quickest to begin with for Manor Racing, before Sims moved ahead of him. The Briton remained there until the final few minutes, when Felix da Costa stole top spot, despite spending much of the afternoon in the pits. Sims hung on to second ahead of ART teammate Michael Christensen, with Tech 1 drivers Aaro Vainio and Costa in fourth and fifth.